Matthew 11:28-29, Psalm 42:1-8
Abby Odio, Pastor of Teaching and Formation, abbyo@churchbcc.org
As we seek to live with shalom in our soul, there are three essential questions we must explore. Thankfully, scripture offers us clarity around these questions, and thus a way to embrace the internal shalom for which we all deeply thirst. These three questions are:
- What is the soul?
- How is your soul?
- How is a soul healed?
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Discussion Questions
Before questions, attempt to give the group a bit of a summary of the main points of the sermon and then choose a few questions that fit your group’s needs and style. We don’t intend for you to use all of these. Three to five questions may be a good number.
- Pastor Abby reminds us that to translate “shalom” as simply meaning peace would leave some of the meaning missing. What deeper texture or layer to the meaning of shalom have you learned so far in this series?
- Our souls are designed for connection with God, what examples in today’s scriptures affirm this?
- Read Psalm 42:1-8 aloud
- In a one-sentence definition, what is the soul?
- The example of Pastor Abby’s grandmother using a rope to move from house to barn during a blizzard illustrates the need for a rope as a guide to keep us oriented. Why must our souls remain connected to God in a similar fashion?
- Soul matters are deeply personal and rooted in our life story. Our physical bodies hold those stories which have shaped our souls.
- In what ways do you experience a connection between your body and soul?
- Take turns praying aloud: “God, I yoke myself to you.”
- Read Matthew 11:28-29 aloud
- Consider that a world made right is not what will bring the shalom we long for to our soul but rather Jesus himself healing our soul, and thus enabling us to BE people of shalom in the world.
- How is your soul; what’s the one word you’d use to describe on this day? Or in this season?
- In what area of your soul (fueled life experiences/story) you are toiling versus trusting Jesus to heal? (i.e. Are there areas where unhealthy behavior/coping mechanisms that once served to protect you are now hindering you?)
- Given this discussion so far, how do you understand a soul to heal?
- See additional practice on story reflection and consider assigning it as homework and sharing next week one reflection of what stood out in the reflection practice.
- What current pain in your soul could you see as potential doorway to God’s promise (instead of a path to destruction)?